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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — 4 sec, f/11, ISO 1250 — map & image data — nearby photos
Self Portrait
four-second exposure while holding (tightly) the camera against the edge of an old well

I had a wonderful day today exploring some temples I'd never been to right here in Kyoto, about which I'll write more soon (here), but I thought I'd put this one up today. It's looking down a circular well at the Souken'in Temple (part of the Daitokuji temple complex) whose opening is framed by a box made of large stone slabs. It's more than 400 years old.

Peering in over the edge, it was pitch black with a small dab of light at the bottom (the reflection of the opening), so I guessed the depth, then focused at something about that far away to set the focus, then pointed the camera down and braced it against the edge, and took the four-second exposure.

It still came out very dark, so I brightened it up in Lightroom.

I think I could do a much better photo if I just took an extra minute to think about it, but this temple is rarely open to the public, so I doubt I'll get another chance any time soon.

Anyway, it's interesting to see down into it, and to wonder how it was built all those years ago.

I had been out and about with Stéphane Barbery, who also did a similar shot, though he did a much better job technically, and went a different direction artistically. I like it.

Continued here...